Architectural Review

What is Architectural Review?
Architectural Review is the process by which any external improvement or alteration to your property is reviewed and approved by committee prior to work being started. The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) acts on behalf of the Odessa National Maintenance Corporation to conduct these reviews.

Why is this important?
In a deed restricted community such as Odessa National, Architectural Review serves to preserve and improve the aesthetics of the community by ensuring a general level of uniform conformity among property lots.  This leads to more stable property values and in general a more pleasant and nicer appearance.

How does this process work?
If you wish to make any changes to the exterior of your home or lot, you are required to submit for approval the following items to the Architectural Review Committee:

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• A description of your project including a timeline

• Detailed site drawings showing areas that will be affected and the proposed placement of the structure being constructed

• Any professionally created sketches or architectural plans/surveys

• Any documents supporting justification for your project

• The contractor or company working on the project (if applicable)

Examples of items needing Architectural Review

Here are a few examples (not an inclusive list) of items in which Architectural Review is warranted.

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• Fences

• Pools

• Sheds and other accessory structures

• Gardens

• Decks / patios

• Window/door/roof replacements

• Paint/siding

• Driveway alterations (not resurfacing/repaving)

What else does Architectural Review cover?
In addition to alterations, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) is responsible for ensuring that property lots are well maintained in accordance with the Master Covenants and Deed Restrictions as well as any applicable subdivision deed restrictions.

 

A special note about sheds:

In addition to community and subdivision restrictions on the location, type, and size of a shed which can be placed on your property, a shed (or any outbuilding) is required to be compliant with New Castle County guidelines.  You can find out more information here.

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A special note about fences:

While the materials and type of fence allowed is covered in the deed restrictions, the deed restrictions in general are silent on the topic of property lines for fence placement with the following exceptions:

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• The fence cannot extend closer to the street than the building setback line (typically the rear-most wall of the home).

• For homes directly adjacent or backing directly to the golf course, the fence is required to be moved in 6 feet from the property line closest to the golf course

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Because of this, we defer to New Castle County guidelines for fence placement. Basically with the exceptions noted above, for homes not backing to the golf course, the fence can extend to property line but the recommendation is to move it in a little to avoid disputes with neighbors. For more information about this, click here.

More Information
For more information, please refer to sections X and XI of the Master Covenants and Deed Restrictions document.

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Requests for improvements/changes will be reviewed and acted upon in concordance with the established rules and deed restrictions of the community and your subdivision.

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Once your project is received and reviewed, you will get a response from a member of the Architectural Review Committee with any feedback as well as approval or requests for more information for your project.

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You can also mail hard copies of your project and plan to the ONMC post office box (see bottom of this page).

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Please do not commit to starting a project until you have received approval from the ARC.

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AFTER submitting the form below, you will be able to keep track of your ARC request via the Resident Connect Portal.

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